Rafters See 2-Game Win Streak Snapped by La Crosse

Posted:
Thursday, June 9, 2011 11:43 PM EDT

WISCONSIN RAPIDS (Press Release) - With only three hits and a single run Thursday, what had become a potent Wisconsin Rapids Rafters offense over the last three days disappeared in a 7-1 loss to the La Crosse Loggers.

Jacob Doyle, with no run support to fall back on, allowed five runs on eight hits over his five inning start. The fifth inning proved fatal for Doyle as he allowed four straight hits and four runs to the Loggers. The big blow came on a bases clearing double by clean-up hitter Cameron Flynn.

Staring up at a large deficit after five innings, the Rafters only produced two more hits the rest of the night. Bobby Martin scored the only run for the Rafters in the sixth inning. The short-stop reached on an error and eventually scored during a wild run-down when Josh Cyr was caught between first and second. The Rafters threatened in the seventh as Justin Jirschele extended his hitting streak to nine games with a two out single, but the clutch hitting was just not there as the Rafters left two runners on base.

After Doyle's five inning start, Tommy Danczyk, Zach Mercer and Skyler Debilzen combined on the final four innings. Danczyk allowed a run over two frames, Mercer allowed an unearned run in the eighth in his Rafters debut and Debilzen worked a scoreless ninth with three strike-outs. The loss goes to Doyle, who falls to 0-1.

Now sitting at 2-7 on the season the Rafters travel to La Crosse Friday night to wrap up the two game, home and home series with the Loggers. First pitch is set for 7:05 from Copeland Park. The Rafters return home Saturday night to take on the Eau Claire Express at 6:05.